NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN
BIRTH DATE: 14, January 1977 BIRTH PLACE: Chennai, India. RESIDENCE: Coimbatore, India. MARITAL STATUS: Single EDUCATION: Studied Business Administration in London HOBBIES: Trap and Skeet Shooting, Tennis, Wildlife Photography CLAIM TO FAME: First Indian and the youngest ever driver to take Formula One Driver's Test
He is one sports man from India who has definitely done the country proud. Narain Kartikeyan became the first ever Indian to test-drive a Formula One car at Silverstone (England) on the 14th of June 2001 driving a jaguar R1 car.
Narain's Introduction to motor sport was through his father GR Karthikeyan who was the National Rally Champion in the seventies. Narain's interest in motor sports was stimulated at an early stage because of this.
At 23 years of age, Narain has already achieved a considerable reputation in the formula sport. When he was 16 he attended the Elf-Winfield Racing School in France, showing immence talent for the sport; he was among the semi-finalists in the Pilote Elf Competition in Formula Renault Cars.
In the year 1993 Narain raced in Formula Maruti in India before moving on to the British Vauxhall Junior Championship in Europe. It was here that Narain gained valuable experience of the European Racing scene and wanted to return to Britain the following year.
In 1994 Narain went back to the UK and drove in Formula Ford Zetec for Foundation Racing as the number two works Vector Driver. He took part in the British Formula Ford Winter Series and became the first Indian to win any championship in Europe by winning there. Another achievement of the year for Narain was finishing on the podium at the portuguese support race at Estoril!
The following year of 1995 saw Narain graduate to the Formula Asia Championship. He immediately caught up on the pace and finished second to Shah Alam, Malaysia, in September. According to Narain, Formula Asia is an essential step in pursuit of his racing ambitions.
For Narain, it has been very difficult to find sponsorship for his racing. Formula racing being a very expensive sport to participate in narain had to face a lot of problems. But his will to survive had him going and he managed to get sponsors who could put their faith on him.
Narain's sporty interest does not confine to motor racing, he also follows tennis and particularly admires Boris Becker. When not racing or working for his father's yarn company, Narain likes to relax with Yoga and Meditation. He keeps fit through jogging and weight training. Narain is a very committed sportsman and intends to succeed. And why not, the whole country has their eyes on him. Racing History At the age of 16 Narain attended the famous Elf-Winfield Racing School in France. It has been the breeding ground of Formula 1 Champion Alain Prost and Grand Prix drivers such as Damon Hill and Jean Alesi. Was a finalist in prestigeous Pilote-Elf Competition for Formula Renault Cars. Started racing Formula Maruti in India. Graduated to Formula Vauxhall Juniour Championship in Britain and gained valuable experience of the European racing scene. Drove Formula Ztec class as the works Vector (manufacturer) driver. First Indian to win an International Championship. British Formula Ford Winter Series Champion. Finished on the podium at the Portugese Grand Prix support race in Estoril. Won 1st place in Mc Dowell 1000 at Madras. Competed in the second half of the Formula Asia Series. Was immediately on the pace, finished 2nd in Shah Alam, Malaysia. Competed in the Formula Asia International Series held in India, Malaysia, Indonesia and china with complete dominance. Won the Championship with 7 pole Positions, 7 Wins and 7 Lap Records. Became the first and only Asian to have ever won the Formula Asia Championship. Competed in the British Formula Opel Championship Won the prestigeous Donnington Park Race with a lead from start to finish. Finished sixth overall in the final Championship standings. Became the first ever Indian to Test Drive a Formula One car.
